Library Buildings around the World

Columbia campus in Vancouver. The library officially opened on Saturday, September 29th. The aerodynamic forty-foot wind tower
was designed by Vancouver architect Clive Grout, in collaboration with Walter Francl Architects, as a natural ventilation
system for the underground library building and a functional symbol of Regent’s commitment to a sustainable environment. The
engineering for this tower was both innovative and elegant; Hall’s task was to bring further beauty and interest to the tower, while
continuing the theme of alternative energy. At the heart of the glass design, titled “Lux Nova”, is a luminous column of light,
flowing like a waterfall in silvery blue, violet and white. Included in this column is an array of solar cells that will collect energy
during the day and use it for nighttime illumination – acting as a beacon for the surrounding park. Arranged within the
design are twelve dichroic glass crosses, creating an ever-changing rainbow of colour. Woven through the flowing waterfall of light is
the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic which acknowledges the theology library below. Solar cells are a nearly perfect energy source, as they
generate electricity without emitting harmful greenhouse gases. Being durable, they can transform a glass façade into a clean, longlasting
energy source. Inspired by the vast and attractive energy-collecting facades she saw in Europe, Hall began to incorporate
them into her art glass. Physicist and activist Ursula M. Franklin, C.C.FRSC, writes, “Colour, light and art have brought joy and
inspiration to people throughout the ages. There is something both real and unreal about light and colour. They are tangible and
distant, familiar and mysterious. Light and colour are constant companions of body and soul. They constitute a many-facetted door
to the mind, and the artist’s use of these elements has often reflected their own society best understands of the natural world. While
in recent decades electrically generated light sources have stimulated artistic imagination, it is only now that the new scientific
insight - that light can generate electricity - has been translated into a new and unique artistic offering. Sarah Hall’s new windows
illuminate, but they also create light. Incorporating photovoltaic cells, her installation bestows a double gift: beauty and helpfulness.
What more can we wish for? “ Sarah Hall, RCA is an architectural glass artist who is renowned for pioneering imaginative projects.
The windows incorporate techniques such as fusing, airbrushing, tempering, lamination and sandblasting. These techniques give
the windows a light, lyrical quality - along with breath-taking color. The windows were created in collaboration with Glasmalerei
Peters of Paderborn, Germany. “Stained glass has a thousand-year history,” she says. “Using solar energy is one way of bringing
new technology to an art form that most people consider traditional and unchanging. However, tradition is not for keeping the ashes
– but the fire alive. By forging art with a source of energy we create a powerful image of how we can live in this world.”
(For further information visit: www.SarahHallStudio.com)
Group2 Architecture, Edmonton, AB – Canada
http://www.group2.ca
Libraries :
Edmonton Public Libraries, Meadows Community Recreation Centre and Library, Edmonton , AB –
Canada 2013
joint venture with Perkins Will (Shore Tilbe Perkins Will) http://www.perkinswill.com
Project budget: $119,000,000
The Meadows is a new community hub in South East Edmonton. It combines a recreation centre with a public library under one
roof, and is surrounded by a district park. The rec centre portion includes an aquatics centre, fitness centre, gymnasium, arena (2
rinks) and multipurpose rooms. (Group2)
17th Street in southeast Edmonton, is a collaboration between EPL and the City of Edmonton. In addition to the library, this multipurpose
facility includes indoor skating arenas, swimming pools, fitness centre and gymnasium, as well as outdoor sports and
recreation fields. Construction on the entire facility is set to begin September 2011 and is expected to open Spring 2014.
(http://www.epl.ca/about-epl/building-projects)
The library will be approximately 15,000 square feet and features an outdoor culture bowl and reading garden.
Innisfail Public Library, Innisfail, AB – Canada 2011
Project budget: $8,900,000
The Innisfail Public Library addresses both how the library operates as a business and how it is organized as a facility. The design
focuses on creating an open, flexible interior environment with an abundance of natural light. The exterior highlights the connection
to the natural environment and combines materials and volumes in a holistic manner. Upon entering the building, each
programmatic function is revealed through a series of open and inviting spaces. The building includes exposed interior/exterior wood
columns in the central spaces and full glazing on the east wall shaded by mature trees.
The library is both open and flexible in order to respond to current and future needs. The perimeter and free standing bookshelves
effectively envelope the user with library materials while also framing views to the exterior. Sustainable design principles are
incorporated throughout the project that promises to set a positive example for similar development across the province. (Group2)
South Fisch Creek Education Recreation & Library Complex, Calgary, AB – Canada 2002
Project budget: $43,000,000
Awards:
The project was the winner of CEFPI Architectural Building Design award 2001 (Alberta Chapter), Calgary Award for Accessibility
2002 and Illuminating Engineering Society Award of Merit for the Entire Complex and for the Shawnessy Library and Alberta
Construction Magazine listed the project as #1 of “The best in 2002 Institutional Construction”.
The Complex is a partnership with the City of Calgary, Calgary Public Library and Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School. It is
the first of its kind in Canada with the number of diverse partners, involving a highly collaborative process to ensure the needs of
each partner. The school is an 1,800 student high school with 300 seat theatre, labs for food & fashion, mechanical shop, video
production / multi-media centre, arts, drama and music studios, and two full size gymnasiums. The YMCA includes 25m lap pool,
leisure and whirlpools, gymnasium, climbing wall, elevated banked running track, dance studios, café and daycare. The complex also
includes a 1770 m² public library and community facilities including an additional gym, twin ice arenas with bleacher seats, locker
and official rooms. (Group2)
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